ENGLAND legends Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have both changed their minds over the debate regarding Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Fans have been arguing for years over who the true GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) is with both sides making strong cases about their favourite football legend.
World Cup winner Messi has landed every trophy available as well as a staggering eight Ballon d’Or honours but only succeeded at Barcelona when it comes to club-level football.
Ronaldo has dominated at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Al-Nassr but did little with Portugal, who never won the World Cup and conquered Euro 2016 with him injured.
Picking the best is so hard that even other football legends like Gerrard and Lampard can’t come to a decision.
The Liverpool great used to go with Messi as he claimed he was a better team player.
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But now the Al-Ettifaq boss picks Ronaldo as his arrival in Saudi Arabia changed the league forever and proved to be the catalyst that brought so many stars to the Middle East, including himself.
Gerrard said: “The arrival of ‘The GOAT’ as we call him, Cristiano, him arriving in January obviously was a huge signing.
“He still had a lot of football to offer. So, from afar, for six months, I was looking in at Cristiano Ronaldo’s results, at the league, watching some games and watching some highlights.
“I think from that moment, the league around the world had become a very popular talking point for everyone.
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“After Cristiano’s arrival, even more big-name signings, talents and skill sets were joining the league.”
Lampard also used to pick Messi because of the Inter Miami superstar’s “pure, natural talent”.
But the Chelsea legend ended up changing his tune as well as he told Gary Neville that Ronaldo has proven to be a much bigger impact player.
Lampard said: “You know what, I’ve always been a Messi man and then I watched your debate with Jamie Carragher recently.
“I actually think for Ronaldo’s output and actual numbers, and goals in big finals and semi-finals like we’ve seen, I think I maybe give him the edge. That’s going to start a load of hate, now.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
